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I think Windows 2000 would be the best Windows operating system for a web server, but NT would be about the same. If you're serious about this web server thing, and you seem to be, I think you should consider using Red Hat Linux.

I think it's probably just not publicized, but I could be wrong. I don't know anything about BSD, so I couldn't tell you anything about its security. The reason for my opinion is that Linux is by far the favorite OS for web hosting, and thousands of webmasters can't all be wrong. I know I said that the most popular operating systems are the most easily hacked because of their popularity. I will also admit that any good web hacker would know Linux and Unix. But I think you will have a hard time finding ANY hacker that can't hack windows. Also, that's what firewalls are for. You should never rely solely on the operating system for your security.

Define 'Hack windows'. I'll be the first to admit that Win9x has terrible local security, but that's mainly because it was designed for home use, where you usually have adequate physical local security, it's functioning in a physical trusted environment. I don't count the local stuff against Windows, because with an intruder with local access to a computer, most of the battle is lost already.

By "Hack windows" do you mean: "Trick the user into running a this nifty NetBusServer.exe program."? Or "Look for someone who forgot to set a password on his new share."?

Tiny is another good firewall. I have used both Tiny and ZoneAlarm, and loved them both. Plus, if you didn't already know, both are freeware, so you won't have to pay anything. You can search for both of them at www.download.com